Assessment of Fluoride Levels in Groundwater

A Case Study of Ovia North-East, Edo State

Abstract

Water is essential for human survival, yet over 1.1 billion people, primarily in low and middle-income countries, lack access to safe drinking water. Fluoride, a natural element in groundwater, is beneficial at low concentrations but toxic at higher levels, causing conditions like dental and skeletal fluorosis. Excessive fluoride, a result of natural geological processes, poses significant public health risks, particularly in developing regions. Technologies like adsorption offer potential solutions to mitigate fluoride contamination, though cost and accessibility remain barriers. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive policies, innovative treatment methods, and community education. This study highlights the importance of safeguarding water quality to promote public health and sustainable development. This study assessed groundwater quality in Ovia North-East, focusing on fluoride levels and other physicochemical parameters. Analysis of borehole water samples revealed that less than 50% met World Health Organization (WHO) standards for fluoride in drinking water (0.5-1.5 mg/l). Some samples exhibited insufficient fluoride, requiring supplementation, while others exceeded the WHO limit, necessitating defluoridation. Activated carbon (palm kernel) was explored as a potential defluoridation method. Additionally, all samples showed pH values outside the WHO recommended range (6.5-8.5), indicating slight acidity and potential heavy metal contamination. Total dissolved solids (TDS) were also generally low, suggesting the need for water treatment. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and treating groundwater in Ovia North-East to ensure safe and balanced fluoride intake and address other water quality issues before human consumption. The study underscores the need for appropriate fluoride levels as an essential dietary element.